Combatting Fake Agro-Inputs

How can we regulate agricultural inputs using the power of markets?

// Field Research, Strategy

// Winner, Consulting Magazine's Excellence in Social and Community Investment Award

THE CHALLENGE

Fake agricultural inputs - including seeds, fertilizer, and pesticides - are ubiquitous in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and pose significant risk to smallholder farmers' health, safety, and livelihood. The Gates Foundation was interested in how they might help design a sustainable, market-based intervention to cut down on counterfeiting and improve the livelihood of small holder farmers in the region.

Assessed six leading anti-counterfeit solutions that were successful in order industries, and shortlisted promising and feasible interventions

Designed a pilot implementation roadmap and path forward

THE RESULTS

Based on our research and analysis, we recommended an end-user verification model and designed a pilot to operationalize the concept. The pilot was successfully funded and rolled out across three target geographies.